Browns’ goal is to win division

So says new general manager George Kokinis, who wouldn’t discuss trade rumors.

By STEVE DOERSCHUK

CANTON REPOSITORY

BEREA — What’s the big whoop about 2009 for the Browns? Does the draft even matter?

Aren’t they just rebuilding? At best, is the new regime talking privately about lucking into one of those “surprise team” runs?

No, the new general manager said. Neither “rebuilding” nor “surprise team” have been discussed.

“The goal,” George Kokinis said Thursday, “is to win the division. No doubt about it.”

Daring? Well ...

The Browns last won a division title in 1989, when Kokinis was a senior psychology major at Hobart College.

What makes him think such a lofty goal isn’t a joke for a franchise that has gone 4-12 three of the last five years? He threw out a few clues in a media briefing Thursday.

“I think there’s a lot of talent on this team,” he said.

Along with that, he sees a budding chemistry.

“We want a toughness, a team-first attitude, a selfless attitude,” Kokinis said. “It’s starting. The strength coaches are bringing it along. Coach Mangini is in the weight room watching ’em do it.”

Kokinis thinks the flow will be helped by ex-Jets — defensive lineman C.J. Mosley, linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens and cornerback Hank Poteat — who “want to play for Eric.

“Having Bowens and Barton in the linebacker room, C.J. in the D-line room and Poteat in the DBs’ room will help,” Kokinis said. “There was kind of some reasoning to that. I was happy we could get it done.

“I think the defense can be pretty good.”

Kokinis seemed enthused about high-mileage running back Jamal Lewis, who potentially could be replaced by a high draft pick, perhaps Ohio State’s Chris “Beanie” Wells.

“One thing about Jamal is, when you count him out, he runs you over,” said Kokinis, who spent seven years on the same team (Baltimore) as Lewis.

“I think he’s still got tread there. I really do.”

Meanwhile, Kokinis revealed Lewis underwent an offseason medical procedure he described as “a little ankle cleanup.”

He said the team would not hesitate to draft a back, if a ball carrier is “the top-rated player available at a certain draft spot.”

Lewis was a No. 5 pick in 2000. That’s the Browns’ first-round position on April 25.

Kokinis indirectly reached out to fans in a general comment about who the Browns’ top pick should be.

“We’ve got to pick the right guy for this city, the right guy for this team, the right guy for the Cleveland Browns,” he said.

Kokinis declined to discuss any trade reports Thursday, including one by ex-Browns personnel executive Michael Lombardi that stated the Browns have been offered first-round picks in separate deals for both Brady Quinn and Braylon Edwards.

“That’s internal business,” Kokinis said.

Yet, he admits his mind is wide open.

“If the phone rings,” he said, “we’re gonna pick it up and see what happens.”

But ...

“Our main focus really has been stacking the board by position and horizontally. It’s really coming together. We’re starting to narrow in on what we want and what we can do.

“A lot of phone calls really haven’t been made.”

He didn’t say none have been made.

“Draft day is a great day,” Kokinis said. “It’s a funny day.”

Kokinis said the Browns will draft with a “best player available” mindset.

He didn’t say how high the Browns might draft a quarterback, but he strongly indicated one will be picked ... somewhere.